GTA 6 Fishing & Hunting: How They Really Work

Not What You'd Expect From a Rockstar Game

If you came into GTA 6 expecting to fish, fillet, and fry your catch like you could in Red Dead Redemption 2, prepare to adjust your expectations. Rockstar North's Rob Nelson confirmed in an interview with YouTuber TGG that fishing in GTA 6 operates on a strict catch-and-release basis — you reel them in, you let them go.

Nelson's explanation was straightforward: it simply didn't fit the world Rockstar is building. Jason and Lucia live in a modern setting with fast food joints, restaurants, and convenience stores on every corner. Keeping a fish just wouldn't make sense the way it did in 1899 rural America. Fishing is framed primarily as a leisure activity, though it does tie into challenges and collectibles for players who want extra goals to chase.

Hunting Is a Legitimate Money-Maker

Hunting tells a very different story. According to Nelson, it's one of several ways players can earn cash in GTA 6 — which should appeal to anyone looking to diversify their income streams beyond the obvious options. Check out our tips section for more money-making methods as they get confirmed.

There's an interesting wrinkle here: hunting is reportedly unlocked through a contact in Jason's network. TGG believes this character hasn't appeared in any official GTA 6 footage yet, which suggests Rockstar still has some of its supporting cast under wraps.

What This Means for Players

• Fishing: Casual, relaxing, and collectible-driven — think mini-game rather than survival mechanic
• Hunting: A proper side activity with real financial rewards
• Food system: Eating affects your weight, and extra calories can be burned off at the gym

Both activities point to a living, reactive open world where side pursuits have genuine depth without necessarily copying the RDR2 blueprint.

With the game arriving November 19, 2026, there's plenty more to be revealed about Leonida's wilderness.